Iowa Funeral Directors AssociationStrategic Plan

About

IFDA is committed to deliveringmember value

HistorySince the Iowa Funeral Directors Association’s

inception in 1880, the Association has striven to be a technologically advanced and centralized resource for

IFDA members and the Iowa families they serve. IFDA is an advocate of funeral service interests to the community,

industry, government and the profession. Today, IFDA represents over 700 Iowa licensed funeral directors – nearly 85 percent of those licensed in Iowa – and 425

funeral home establishments throughout the state.

Mission StatementPromoting and supporting funeral service excellence.

Vision StatementProvide trusted expertise to families in their times of need.

1. Advocacy2. Professional Development3. Awareness & Promotion

4. Association Strength

Strategic Goals

Goal 1

Outreach to lawmakers, regulators, the public and partners.

• License Protection – IFDA and its lobbying team will protect the funeral director license, increasing public awareness of its scope, working with lawmakers, and building a strong base of members who can maintain relations with elected officials.

• Political Influence – Increase the engagement of members contributing to the PAC to reach a set goal per election cycle.

• Collaborative Partners – Maintain improved working relationships with partners and stakeholders.

• Educational Standards – Elevate the funeral director licensure requirement and explore additional pathways toward credit for an internship for a bachelor’s degree, after conducting due diligence.

Advocacy

Goal 2

Elevating the profession by recruiting and retaining committed individuals through knowledge, development and delivery.

• Education Capacity – Align resources to hire an educational position to support professional development.

• On-Site Training – Develop a signature program where funeral homes and directors can receive on-site training from IFDA.

• Leadership Academy – Create courses to improve skills and abilities of members, positioning them as future leaders in the profession and the association.

• Scholarship – Continue scholarship program and fund adequately, improving awareness to seek contributions from members and families.

• Member-Only Resources – Provide resources and education that is discounted, free or available to members-only to demonstrate return on investment (ROI) and value.

ProfessionalDevelopment

Goal 3

Conveying the positive impact of the profession and IFDA members.

• Awards and Recognitions – Develop and implement the “Inspire Award” to identify and promote excellence to the public through an individual and member firm recognition.

• Communication Platforms – Develop various communication campaigns for website, social media, print media and press to increase public awareness and member engagement.

• Economic Impact – Complete an economic impact study of the profession and its effect in Iowa, with results prepared to support media and advocacy.

• Charitable Efforts – Expand the Angel Gowns program to be a statewide charitable effort by IFDA and members.

• Strategic Execution – Transform the 2020 strategic plan to improve member and partner awareness of the leadership’s initiatives for the profession.

Awareness & Promotion

Goal 4

Lead the profession with a dynamic association providing value to members.

• Future Leaders – Identify and train the leaders needed to maintain a vibrant profession and powerful association.

• Financial Resources – Provide for stewardship excellence of all assets associated with IFDA and consider a policy allowing use of a percentage of funds for growth-related initiatives.

• Dues Model – Adjust dues model and processes that consider the transformation of the profession.

• Professional Staffing – Ensure staffing is sufficient to carry out the mission, vision and goals of the 2020 strategic plan and provide member service excellence.

• Organizational Excellence – Apply for national association awards to demonstrate excellence to members, partners, lawmakers, and public.

• Funeral Services of Iowa (FSI) – Maintain growth and expansion of FSI, the wholly-owned subsidiary of IFDA, while continuously evaluating member benefits and needs.

Association Strength

IFDAI o w a F u n e r a l D i r e c t o r s

A s s o c i a t i o n

Iowa Funeral Directors Association1454 30th St. West Des Moines, IA 50265p 515.270.0130 / p 800.982.6561 / f 515.270.1569admin@iafda.org / www.iafda.org